Mortal Kombat: The Three Titans

Chapter Eighteen: Moonflower

(Heartist - Skeletons)
-Bi-Han's POV- Enough time has passed for Kuai to rest up. "I feel like I should check on him. See if he's all right." I sigh, closing my book and getting up from my chair. I hum to myself as I walk down the hall to his room.

"Kuai? Are you awake?" I call out, knocking on his door. No answer. "Kuai?" I call out again, trying the doorknob. Panic flows through me when I feel it locked. I shake the doorknob. "Kuai! Open the door!"
"What's wrong?" Hanzo asks, running up after he heard me yell.
"He locked his bedroom door." I reach into my pocket from the key, hastily pulling it out.

With shaky hands, I unlock the door and barge in.
His bed is empty, the fur blanket pushed aside.
"There is blood on the floor." Hanzo nods towards the stain. I feel terror fill my soul.
The window creaks against the wind.

"Where did he go?!" I look around, even checking under the bed just incase he's pulling a prank.
The space below his bed is empty.
"There is footprints in the snow. We should pursue before night falls." Hanzo mutters.

"There is a massive snowstorm coming.....If Kuai really went out there...." I can't finish my sentence.
"He might get terrible frostbite. His body is not adapted to the cold any longer. He's not wearing clothing made for this kind of weather. We need to look for him. Preferably with a search group." Hanzo states firmly.

"No," I shake my head. "I've forbidden my people from venturing in the woods, especially at night. Too many dangers behind the safety of the temple. We'll have to go alone."
"Then we better leave now."
****
-Kuai's POV- The sun is slowly beginning to dip towards the horizon again as I keep moving forward.
Snow crunches under my boots as I get further away from the temple.

I can see my breath. The black tears have dried to my skin by now, making me look deranged. If people saw me out here, they'd probably think I'm some lost evil soul. At least no one will bother me.
I lean against a tree, staring at my footprints in the snow. They probably realize that I'm gone by now.

Will they send out a search party? Would they be crazy enough to do so? Or will they look for me alone? I claw at the bark of the tree, leaving deep gouges in the wood.
Bi-Han would be stubborn enough to come look for me alone if he had to.

The wind whips up, chilling me.
I shiver, pulling my cape tighter around me. Not that it makes much of a difference.
I force myself to continue on, hoping to find a cave just in case a storm hits.
****
-Hanzo's POV- "Kuai Liang!" Bi-Han screams, his voice hoarse. He runs ahead of me, following the tracks in the snow. His cape lashes behind him.
"Where are you?!" He cries out, the wind carrying his voice away.

Bi-Han stops and falls to his knees, weeping. I walk up and place my hand on his shoulder. "Come back," he sniffs, head hanging low.
"Please....We're not angry at you, baby brother... Why did you run off? Is he hurt? Why isn't there blood in the snow?"

"I don't know," I admit. "Come on, we'll find him. He couldn't have gotten far."
"He looked so happy in his room!" Bi-Han wails, looking at me with bloodshot eyes. "Did he...fake his happiness? Has he ever really been happy after all of this went down?! I just want him back!" He hits the ground in anger, causing a wave of powdered snow to fly into the air.

"I want to hold him in my arms again. To hear his laugh and see him smile. Is that too much to ask? I know he's never had a lover before, and I want to fill that void of affection with brotherly love. Does he think that we hate him after his fall?"
"Maybe?" I guess, shrugging.
"We need to get him back, kicking and screaming if necessary. He can't run away from us any longer." He gets up, wiping his tears away.

"Let's go," We keep going, following his tracks closely.
****
-Kuai's POV- I managed to find a cave to take shelter in. I sit way in the back of the small cave, curling up into a ball. The wind is really starting to pick up now.

I see the snowy trees blow in the wind, shaking off loose snow. I sit up when I see two shadows appear at the entrance. I turn away when they walk closer, hood low on my face.
"Brother," Bi-Han begins gently, touching my shoulder. On instinct, I claw at him.

He snatches his hand away with a pained cry. I watch the scratch heal instantly, only leaving a small amount of blood. My eyes widen, then I look away again.
"Are you hurt?" My sibling demands. Typical of him. He could be bleeding to death and still wonder if you're okay first.
"Physically? My limbs are numb." I shake. "Mentally? That's a whole different story."
"Why did you run off? You could have gotten seriously injured out here! Come on, we're going back."

"Why should I go back?" I snap, looking at them over the rim of the hood. "I'm nothing but trouble there. Look at me! Look at my hands. I killed a rabbit on accident just by touching it. I'm a hazard around people and anything that is alive!" I cry, my eyes burning into Bi-Han's.

"Kuai, listen," Bi-Han begins calmly, crouching down to meet my gaze. "Both you and Hanzo are family to me. I love you with all my heart. I said I wouldn't leave you. I am keeping that promise. I know you're deeply hurt inside, and I want to aid you. You're lonely despite running an empire. You've never had a lover. I want to fill that empty void in your heart, Kuai. But you'll have to let me."

The amount of pain in his eyes startles me. I scan him over, then look at Hanzo, who nods.
I stare at Bi-Han, then lunge at him. He falls over with a cry, landing on his back.
"Kuai!" He cries out, then relaxes when he realizes I'm hugging him almost aggressively.

"Oh, baby...." He croons, his arms around my waist. "My sweet little moonflower....It'll be okay. I'm here. I'm here."
****
The next few hours are a blur to me. Hanzo ends up carrying me back, telling me I was lucky to not get hypothermia.
They end up watching me recover in the hospital wing of the temple and we talk deep into the night.

I explain everything as best as I can. Why I feel lonely, the fact that I still grieve for Kana despite it being eons, my internal struggle with keeping the darkness at bay. They both listen intently, becoming worried and concerned while they let me ramble on.

By the end of it, I have a headache from crying and feel like the lowest scum on Earth. "I do need help. I admit it. And thank you both for being so stubborn. I'd still be shivering in that cave if it weren't for you guys." I smile.

Hanzo nods, a sad smile on his face. "No problem."
"I also found out something cool I can do with my powers," I state. They both look surprised.
"Really?" Bi-Han tilts his head. "You want to show us?"

I hold my hands out in front of me. Over the years, I've filled my library with many dark spells, some to attack, others to defend. Then there is the spell I'm about to use. A completely harmless one.
"I call upon the light of the moon," I whisper in a low voice. "From high above where heavens reign, bestow my friends a gift onto this mortal plane..."

Energy crackles in my hands, the usual dark purple tint turning white. Two white flowers suddenly appear in my hands. "Woah!" They both jump.
I grin. "Pretty cool, right?"
"They're roses, but they're white." Hanzo observes.

"Yeah. They represent eternal loyalty. Here. Both of them are made for you guys."
"Aw, you didn't have to do that," Bi-Han sniffs, taking his rose. "I'll treasure it," Hanzo says, taking his as well.
"It'll be all right. Over these next few days, I'll see if I can change how I feel and I will need the both of you at my side."
"You really think we'd pass down such an offer?" Bi-Han teases.
"I will be by your side as well, Kuai Liang." Hanzo agrees.
"Hm." I nod. "Thank you."